Cicadas are clumsy flyers that travel only short distances. To figure out whether you should expect Brood XIII periodical cicadas in your neighborhood this year,…
Periodical Cicadas
Periodical cicadas are predicted to emerge throughout northern Illinois in just a few weeks. But will their appearance live up to all the hype? Photo…
Red Admiral Butterflies
Its wings angled toward the afternoon sun, a red admiral soaks up some warming rays at Delnor Woods Park in St. Charles.
Sapsucker Ecology
As a female yellow-bellied sapsucker methodically drills her sapwells, two flies (left) arrive to inspect her progress and, soon, partake of a sweet treat.
Schreckstoff
Danger, yellow bullheads! Danger! The schreckstoff, or ‘scary stuff’ present in the skin cells of the fish in this heron’s bill likely saved other bullheads…
Ferson Creek Fen Bunnies
On a sunny day in April 2014, persons unknown left this box of bunnies at Ferson Creek Fen in St. Charles. Photo courtesy of Tim…
Salamander Monitoring
After being counted, measured and sexed, tiger salamanders in the St. Charles Park District monitoring program are released in their breeding pond. The presence of…
Odorous House Ants Pt. 2
Odorous house ants’ natural habitat is outdoors but, drawn by easy access to food and shelter, they often find their way into homes.
Odorous House Ants Pt. 1
Small bordering on teensy, Tapinoma sessile measures just under 1/8-in. in length. Pictured here next to a toothpick, it’s an ant that shows up regularly…
Ross’s Goose
Smaller than most geese, the Ross’s goose is an unusual sighting in Kane County. Photo courtesy of Gordon Garcia.